UNM part of 7 schools to sign Mountain West membership agreement

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Mountain West announced on Thursday that seven member schools have signed an agreement that keeps them in the conference through the end of the 2032 athletic season. The league and its members have also agreed to a grant of media rights from the institutions to the conference beginning July, 1 2026.

The University of New Mexico, an original member of the Mountain West, is one of the seven schools to sign. The other six include The United States Air Force Academy, University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa, University of Nevada, Reno, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Wyoming.

“Our immediate priority was solidifying the membership of the Mountain West. Now our focus turns to our collective future on behalf of our student-athletes,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “The agreements announced today mark a historic moment for the Mountain West and provide much-needed stability and clarity as the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve rapidly.”

While the agreement ensures the seven member schools remain in the conference for football, Hawai’i is not a full-time member of the league. The Mountain West must add an additional school to meet the eight-team threshold to be considered an FBS conference.

Member schools will receive distribution payments from the Mountain West in accordance with the conference bylaws. Air Force and UNLV will receive 24.5%, Nevada, New Mexico, San José State and Wyoming 11.5%, and Hawaiʻi 5%.

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